The 33-year-old woman was left fighting for life after receiving wounds to her neck, chest, stomach and arm, as well as a punctured lung.

The brutal attack happened outside the back of Gregson Grill, Gregson Avenue, in the Bridgemary area of Gosport, on Friday at 9pm.

The woman, who has a four-year-old son, works as a delivery driver at the kebab and fast-food shop.

She had been on the way out to her car to deliver some food when the attack happened.

A customer in the shop at the time, who knew the victim, heard her screams and found her slumped up against her car, clutching her throat.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: 'At first I thought it was just kids screaming out at the back but then the pitch got higher and higher.

'I then heard her shouting ''help me, help me.'' I ran out and saw her clutching her throat. There was blood gushing out and she was gasping for air.

'I ran back in and called for an ambulance and before you knew it, everywhere the eye could see there were police.'

The man added: 'This has really shocked everyone, I can't think why anyone would do this.'

Police immediately cordoned off the service yard behind the parade of shops while scenes-of-crime officers, sniffer dogs and a spotter plane searched the area.

The victim, who is believed to have known her attacker, was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Residents and shop-owners in the road have been shocked by the attack but have said security behind the parade of shops has concerned them for years.

Lindsay Stevenson, 25, who manages three shops along the parade, said: 'We've had a lot of drug abuse and people being beaten up out there.

'It's so poorly lit and people think they can get away with things. We've had countless arguments with the council about getting some lighting installed.

'I don't feel safe going out there at night at all.

'It was only a matter of time before something really serious happened.'

Ward councillor Dennis Wright said: 'I'm as shocked as anyone about this incident.

'It's appalling.'

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Robert Shaw, the police force control inspector, said: 'Officers would like to reassure the public that this is an isolated incident.

'It is believed that the stabbing victim knows her attacker.'

The victim has undergone surgery and is now said to be in a stable condition.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Gosport CID on 0845 045 4545 or the Crimestoppers service, anonymously and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.